Sectional golf shaft



y 7, 1930. b. w. FLINT 1,760,353

SEQTIONAL GOLF SHAFT 4 Filed Sept. 1, 1926 Patented May 27, 1930 urrso stares ,PATENT- oFFicE DUTEE W. FLINT, GBANS'ION, ItI-IODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T SWINGRITE COMPANY, INC., OF PROVIDENCE, RHQDE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND SECTIONAL GOLF SHAFT Application filed September This invention relates to an improved construction of wooden shaft designed more particularly for use in golf clubs; and the object of this invention is to provide a golf club shaft composed of sections of different materials laid side by side, the flexibility of the sections of one material being different from that of the other, whereby a selection ofthe desired number of sections of varying flexibility may determinethe pliability or stiffness of the shaft as is desired.

A further object of this invention is to alternate sections of bamboo and hickory in a built-up sectional shaft in such a manner as to control the stiffness of the shaft.

' l/Vith these and other objects in View, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf shaft of the improved construction of this invention with portions broken away.

Figure 2 is a sectional end view of the shaft showing alternate sections of hickory and bamboo of the same sizes.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bamboo section of the shaft.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hickory section of the shaft.

Figure 5 shows the alternate sections of different sizes.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of shaft showing the sections set in still different relation.

It is found in the building of a sectional golf shaft desirable to provide some means in which its flexibility may be nicely determined 7 1, 1926. Serial No. 132,953.

ing or regulating the stiffness of the shaft is to arrange in the shaft certain sections which are stiffer than others and cemented together, these sections ofdifierent pliability, side by side in order to vary the pliability' and stiifness as is desired; and the following is a detailed description of one'means by which these advantageous results may be accom-- plished:- 5

With reference to the drawlngs, 1O 'desig- .5

. nates the shaft of a golf club having a head which havebeen recessed at the apex.

The sections 13 are of bamboo which as is known is relatively stiff or nonyieldable and are formed by splitting a bamboo pole on the desired angle so that the sections are in segmental shape in cross-section toproperly fit together to form the desired shaft.

It will be noted that each of the sections 13 or those substantially" sector shape do not come to a sharp edge, but'h'ave a slightly. curved inneredge 14: due to the natural formation of the stock in some instances. The sections 12 are preferablyof hickory but may be made of any wood having the desired inherent strength and flexibility and 0 5 which is much more limber or flexible than bamboo and is more homogneous in texture. These sections are substantially sector shape in some cases, coming to an edge 15, altho it is not necessary for the purposeof this 'invention that-such be the case. I It is found preferable in varying the stiff- I ness of the club in some instances to arrange the bamboo and hickory sections alternately as' illustrated in Figure 2, altho other arrangements might'be used. The bamboo sections which are of a thickness less than the radius of the shaft leave a space or opening 16 in the center of they shaft which pernits glue to be employed in securing the secice tions together, which may squeeze out into the centeropening and so permit these sections to come into close contact in order to form a perfect joint.

This hollow center opening formed by the shape, of the bamboo sections alsoprovides a space into which the deeper or more extended edges 15 of the hickory sections may 1 extend if desired to allow the same to properly seat or in which a filler or core (not shown) may be inserted. However, it will be understood that the hickory sections may be of the same cross-sectional area as the bamboo sections for the purpose of this invention. It will also be apparent that the stiffness or pliability of the shaft may be 7 regulated by varying the relative cross-sectional areas of the hickory and bamboo sections as shown in Fig. 5; that is, if greater pliability or flexibility is desired, the bam boo sections will be relatively smaller than thecross-sectional areas of the more flexible hickory sections, and vice versa if a stiffer shaft is desired.

From the foregoing it'will be seen that I have provided novel means for controlling the stiffness and pliability of a golf shaft which may be, varied at willto suit the requirements of each individual player.

The foregoing description isdirected solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim: j i 1. A shaft for golf clubs comprising a plurality of segmentalsections of different inherent flexibility whereby the flexibility of the shaft-may beregulated.

golf clubs comprising a plurality of segmental sections, the diflferent sections being of different kinds of wood each having different inherent flexibility whereby the resiliency of the shaft may be con- 2. A shaft for trolled by choice of the different sections in making up the shaft.

3. A shaft for golf clubs comprising a body having alternating segmental contiguous' sections of bamboo and hickory for regu lating the flexibility of the shaft.

ofdilferent kinds of Wood each having 'difries of sections secured together, the adjacent sides of adjacent sections lying in planes passing through the axis of the shaft and having adjacent sections of bamboo and a more homogeneous wood.

7. A shaft for golf clubs comprising a plurality of sections glued or cemented together, the alternate sections comprising bamboo and a more homogeneous wood,'the two different woods having adjacent surfaces in planes passing substantially through theaxis of the shaft.

8. A shaft for golf clubs having a plurality of sections secured together, adjacent sections being of bamboo ranged alternately, the two different woods having adjacent surfaces in planes passing substantially through the axis of the shaft.

9. A shaft for golf clubs and the like, comprising a plurality of assembled sections. glued together, certain of said sections being of bamboo and others of hickory, each section havingthe grain of the wood running longitudinallythereof, the sidesof each section converging toward the center of the shaft.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DUTEE w. FLINT.

v e 4. A shaft for golf clubs and the like, 'com V prising a plurality of assembled sectors glued together, certain of said sectors being of bamboo and others .of hickory, each sector having the'grain of the wood running l0ngitudinallyjthereof, and the thickness of some of the sectorsbeing slightly less than the radius of the shaft forming aspace'for the glue in'assembling wherereception of excess by the sides only of the adjacent sectors may contact for securing the sectors together.

5. A shaft for golf clubs comprising a plu- I rality of sectors the different sectors being and hickory ar-- 

